FMCG Food Product Innovation Scientist – Hybrid

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Job summary

Our client in FMCG is seeking a Product Development Scientist to drive the creation and commercialization of new food products. You will apply scientific principles and culinary creativity to develop market‑leading formulations, working across ingredients, processing techniques, and sensory evaluation in a fast‑paced R&D team.

The role requires a strong background in food science with hands‑on formulation experience, HACCP/GMP knowledge, and the ability to collaborate with marketing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related discipline.
• 3–5 years of product development experience in FMCG food is preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with formulations, ingredient functionality and processing techniques.
• Knowledge of food safety principles (HACCP, GMP).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities and excellent lab/sensory skills.
• Experience communicating and collaborating across functions; Welkom/SA region experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and optimize new food product formulations.
• Run lab-scale experiments and pilot plant trials for product development.
• Evaluate raw materials for quality, functionality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Analyze nutritional content, sensory properties, and shelf-life.
• Create product specs and manufacturing protocols.
• Collaborate with marketing, procurement, and operations throughout development.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and consumer tests; stay ahead of industry trends.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during development and scale‑up.

Skills

Food formulation

Analytical skills

Sensory evaluation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science or related field

Job description

Our client in FMCG is seeking a Product Development Scientist to drive the creation and commercialization of new food products. You will apply scientific principles and culinary creativity to develop market‑leading formulations, working across ingredients, processing techniques, and sensory evaluation in a fast‑paced R&D team.

The role requires a strong background in food science with hands‑on formulation experience, HACCP/GMP knowledge, and the ability to collaborate with marketing,